Pope Nicholas III

Pope Nicholas III (1204-22 August 1280), born Giovanni Orsini, was Pope from 25 November 1277 to 22 August 1280, succeeding Pope John XXI and preceding Pope Martin IV.

Biography
Giovanni Gaetano Orsini was born in 1204 to the House of Orsini, a dynasty of Catholic Italians. Orsini was a nobleman of Rome, and he served under eight popes. He was made a cardinal by Pope Innocent IV in 1243, Inquisitor-General by Pope Alexander IV in 1254-1261, and in 1277 he was elected to succeed Pope John XXI as Pope. In May 1278, he agreed with Rudolf I of Germany that Romagna and the Exarchate of Ravenna would be given to the Papal States, and in July 1278 he forbade foreigners from taking civil office in the Papal States. Though known for his strength of character, he was known for his nepotism. He died in 1280.